Protective orthopedic garment



- 1. E. SILVERMAN 2,661,002 PROTECTIVE ORTHOPEDIC GARMENT Dec. 1, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 1, 1951 50 40 A I l I 45/ 2% 46 t 5 55 I v 53 4 6 7 INVENTOR. JULIA E. SILVERMAN Dec. 1, 1953 J. E. SILVERMAN 2,661,002

PROTECTIVE ORTHOPEDIC GARMENT I Filed Nov. 1, 1951 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. JULIA E. SILVERMAN Patented Dec. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PROTECTIVE onrrndirihfddnnmnn'r, Julia E. Silverman,New' YorlgliI I L-I Application November 1, i51,'sas11i;254;s57

6 Claims. (Cl. 12s-2's7) .This invention relates to new and useful im provements in protective orthopedic garments.

It is common practice for persons victimized 1 by ,poliomyelitisandsimilar diseases which render the legs unstable to wear braces on one or .both legs for purposes of stiffening the legs to permit walking with or without the use of canes, crutches and similar hand held walking aids. Persons wearing such braces experience great difficulty in donning conventional panties, shorts and similar garments having leg openings through which the brace reinforced legs must be passed. ,It is theprimary purpose of the present invention to construct such garments having leg openings so that theycan beput on and taken off without having to pass them over the ends 1 of the brace reinforced legs.

U More specifically, the present invention proposes constructing garments of the type referred to especially for useby orthopedic persons characterized by a wrap-around body member having a vertically extended front opening arranged to .be closed by suitable fastener elements in a manner so that the body membercan be wrapped around the body at the bottom of the trunk over the top ends of the conventional braces and then ..ecured in position using the fastener elements to close the front Opening. Another object of the present invention proposes providing the rear of the wrap-around body member with 21, depending crotch section arranged in a manner to beextended forward between the legs after the body member has been mounted in position on the body.

M Still further, the present invention proposes constructing theedge portions of the body memher on opposite sides of the front opening to be spaced from each other, in the closed position of the front opening, over at least the lower portion of their vertical height and to provide thecrotch section with a front panel conformed to the shape of the space formed by the spaced lower portions of the edge portions of the body member and arranged in continuation of the crotch piece in amanner to be extended upward to occupy "the space after the crotch section has been ex tended forward between the legs. i As afurther object; the present invention proposes the provision of meansfor releasably securing the front panel to the material of the body member on opposite sides of the space to 1 lose the space and retain the crotch member in position betweentlie'legs. u, W The present? invention proposes forming'at ;11e i. lb ttq e ii o i ei 'w a r g 'an undergarment, so as to protect theouter garments from involuntary discharges in those cases where. the disease which has disabled normal use of the legs has also destroyed the normal functioning of the bladder. 7

Still further, the presentinvention proposes constructing the undergarments so that they elastically close themselves about the legs and Waist so as to completely confine the involuntary discharges within the garment.

A further object of the present invention proposes mounting tabs within the wrap-around body member at the front and rear thereof in a manner to have a catamenial or similar absorbent pad which is extended beneath the crotchand connected at its ends to the tabs so as to absorb the involuntary discharges or menstrual discharges.

As a still further object of the present invention, it is proposed to construct garments of the type disclosed embodying the basic wrap-around feature for use by orthopedic persons either as outer garments or undergarments.

It is a further object of the present invention to construct protective orthopedic garments 'of the type disclosed which are simple and durable, which are effective for their intended purposes and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

On the accompanying drawings forming a material part of the present disclosure: I

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the protective orthopedic garment constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed view similar to a portion of Fig. 1 showing a preliminary step in the process of opening the garment.

Fig.4'is a view similarto' Fig. 3'showing a fur- "ther step in the process of openingth'e garment.

view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

' view taken on the linejl-| of Fig. 5. .5

Fig. 7 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional The protective orthopedic garment, in acseams 41 of v V stantial alignment with the seams 43 of the outer cordance with the first form of the present invention shown in Figs. 1 to '7, includes a wraparound body member 46 having a front opening. The garment is intended primarily for use by orthopedic persons wearing braces or the like to reinforce legs weakened by poliomvelitis or similar diseases. The wrap-around formation of the body member 40 permits the garment, which is-constructed as a pair 'of panties to be worn under outer garments, to be put on and taken off without having to pass the garment over the bottoms of the legs.

The wrap-around body member 40 is of twopart construction consisting of an outer layer 4| and an inner layer 42 of waterproof material. The outer layer 4| is made of elastic material and has a back section M and a pair ofadjacent front sections 4l At the sides of the garment, the vertical side edges of the back'sction ll are joined to the vertical side edges of the front sections' ll by'verticallyextended seams 43. To shape the top of the outer layer 4| to fit snugly about the waist of the wearer,

'gores i i are extended downward from the top edges of the sections 4| and ll To give'the bottom portion of the back section 4| of the outer layer 4! a bucket like formation to fit snugly beneath the rump of the wearer, gores 45 are extended in from the vertical side edges of the back section and gores 45 are extended upward from the bottom edge of the back section, see Fig. 2.

The elastic material used for forming the outer layer 4! is preferably one-way stretch elastic material arranged so that the outer layer will stretch in the girth only to have a compressing effect on the abdomen, hips and rump of the wearer.

The inner layer 42, as in the case of the outer layer M, is formed to have a back section 42 and a pair of adjacent front sections 42*, coextensive with the corresponding sections of the outer layer. The vertical side edges of the back section 42 of the inner layer 42 are secured to the vertical side edges of the front sections 42 by seams ll. From Fig. 5 it will be noted that the inner layer 42' are in sublayer 4|.

The waterproof material used for forming th inner layer 42 is preferably a rubberized cloth although good results can be had using oiled silk or other similar waterproofmaterials.

The inner layer 42 is of a vertical height less than the vertical height of the outer layer 4|.

As best shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the top edge of the'inner layer 42 is spaced some distance below the top edge of the outer layer 4|. The top edge portion of the inner layer 42, see Fig. 6,'is turned downward and outward between itself and the inner side of the'outer layer 4i and there secured to the outer layer by a single line of elastic stitches 48. The outer layer M is stretched during stitching of the inner layer 42 thereto, so that the non-elastic nature of the inner layer 42 will not interfere with stretching of the elastic outer layer 41.

The top edge portion of the outer layer ii is turned downward and inward and secured in position by a single line of stitches 49, see particularly Fig. 6. Stitching of the top edge portion of the outer layer 4| forms the top edge of the outer layerinto a double layer elastic waistband for snugly encircling the waist or the til) 4 wearer to completely isolate the interior of the garment when it is worn.

The front opening of the garment is characterized by the fact that the vertical side edges thereof are spaced from each other over at least the lower portion of their vertical height. In the present garment, the vertical side edges of the outer layer 4!, on opposite sides of the front opening, are in abutment with one another. The vertical side edge of one of the front sec tions 4! has hooks 51 mounted thereon for engagement with complementary loops 52 mounted along the vertical side edge of the other of the front" sections il of the outer layer 49. When the'hoolgs 5i and loops 52 are engaged, as shown "in Fig. 1, the outer layer 4! is closed about the body.

The vertical side edges of the inner layer 42 merely abut one another at their top ends and have their lower portions diverged downward and outward, as best shown in 4, forming the space at the lower portion of the front openmg. a

The back section w of the inner layer 52 continues at its bottom edge into an integral crotch section 53. The crotch piece 53 is provided for extension forwardlybetween the legs of the wearer of the garment. The crotch section 53 in turn continues into a front panel 54. The front panel 54 is triangular in shape conforming to the shape of the space formed by the diverging side edges of the front sections 42 of the inner layer 42. After the crotch piece 53 has been extended forward between the legs, the front paneld'l can be extended upward between the diverging side edges of the front sections 42 closing the space.

Means is provided for releasably securing the diverging side edges of the front panel 5% to the diverging side edges of the front sections 52 The securing means comprises spaced post-type fastener elements 55 mounted along the side edges of the front panel 55. The fastener elements 55 are releasably engageable with complementary socket-type fastener elements 55 mounted along the side edges of the front sections 42. The position of the front panel 54 when the fastener-elements 55 and'56 are engaged is shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

The bottom edges of the'back section'42 the crotch piece 53 and the front sections 42 between the lower ends of the diverging side edges of the front sections 62 and the diverging side edges of the front panel 54-, are bounded by elastic tapes 51 secured in position by lines of stitches 58. Those bottom edges define leg openings, and the elastic tapes 5? are provided for engaging about the legs of the wearer to close the leg openings' tightly about the legs to assist in the isolation of the interior of the'garment when worn.

Secured to the vertical side edge'of the one front section' ll of the outer layer-4i, there is a pad 59. The pad 5? is vertically elongated and secured along one edge to the respective front section m by a Vertically extended line of stitches so. The pad as is provided to locateitself behind'the hooks 5i and loops 52, when engaged, t p v n t se book nd loops from i n in he flesh of the abdomen 7 A pair of elastic tapes 6| are stitched. to the lower end of the pad 59 and a fabric anchor tab 62 is in turn stitched to the lower ends of the tapes 6|. Secured to the inside of the garment, at the rear thereof opposite the pad 59, there is an anchor piece 63, The anchor piece 63 is secured by stitches 64 to the inner face of the back section of; the outer layer Alimmedia'tely abovethe top edge of the back section. of the innerilayerr'flpseeFig. 5. -i.,--Elastic:tapes 65 depend from. the bottom end of the anchor piece The anchor tabs 62 and material, not shown connected thereto for absorbing any involuntary discharges of the wearer of the garment. v In' the event of an involuntary discharge, it. is appreciated that the waterproof formation of the inner layer 42 of the garment will confine thedmoisture and prevent theouter garments from beingisoiled; The pad supported between the anchor tabs 62 and Bicould be'the .conventionalcatamenial pad to absorb the moisture: ,of involuntarydischarges or menstrual dis- .charges. J V V ;;From the foregoing description, it isapparent that: the present invention provide a novel garment; which, can be :completely opened up to be easily put on and taken off byorthopedic persons without having to pass the garment over the ends-of the legs. At the same time, the garment is; of, part elastic; construction to have a confining and compressing effect on the abdomen, hips and rump of the wearercompletely eliminating the need for a separate foundation garment, and the garmenthas a waterproof lower portion to protect,outer-garments from soiling which results from involuntary or menstrual discharges.

FromEig. 1 itwill be noted that the bottom edges of the front sections M of the outer layer dlr ar'eeflatly converged downwardly and outwardly ang t hat those bottom edges, adjacent the outer sides of the front section M overlap the elastic tapes 51 which bound the leg openings gof, the garment. Those bottom edges of the front sections H where they overlap the elastic tapes ,secured thereto by linesof stitches 61, see particularly Fig. 7.

The present invention. is characterized by the fact that the orthopedic garment can be completel ylopened up to be easily and quickly put on and takeri'oif over the usual'braces worn by such person without having to pass the garment over the ends of the legs.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A protective orthopedic garment comprising a wrap-around body member having a vertically extended front opening, said member having adjacent vertical side edge portions on opposite sides of said front opening spaced from each other at least over the lower portion of their vertical height, means releasably joining said edge portions together above said spaced lower portions, a crotch section extended from the bottom of said body member at the rear thereof, a front panel continuing from said crotch section and conformed to the shape of the space formed by the spaced lower portions of said vertical edge portions, and means joining said front panel to the spaced lower ends of said vertical side edges, said wrap-around body member being formed 'of an outer elastic layer and an inner waterproof layer, said outer layer having its bottom portion 6 overlapping the top portion; of; said inner: layer, and stitches securing-the topzedge .of .said inner layer to said outer layer. H

2. A protective orthopedic garment comprising a wrap-aroundbody member having a vertically extended front. opening; said member 'having; ad-

jacent vertical side edge portions .on opposite sides. of said. front opening spaced. from each ,othenat least overtthelower portion of. their vertical height, means releasablyjoining said edge portion together above'saidnspaced lower ,portions, a crotch section extended'from the. bottom of said. body. member at the rear thereof, a front panel continuing from said crotch .sectionand conformed to theshapepf the space formed by the spaced I'IOWGI' portions of said vertical. edge portions, and means joining said front panel. to the. spaced lower ends of said vertical side edges, said wrap-around. body smember vbeing formed ofan outer elastic layer and an inner waterproof layer, said outerlayerhaving itsubottom portion overlapping the top portion ofsaid inner layer, and stitches securingv the top edge of said inner layer to said outer layer,.,said.first joining; means comprising complementary hooks and eyes on the adjacent ends..of,said...outer; layer.

3. Approtective orthopedic garment. comprising a wrap-around body? member. having a vertically extended front opening, said-member h'avingzadjacent vertical sidejedge portions ;on.;,opp.0site sides of said frontLcpening spaced..-from ..each other at least over the; low er. portion of'th'eirivertical height, means; releasably; joining rsaid edge portion together 1 abovesaid spaced. lower. poritions, a crotch sectioniextendedfrom the bottom of said body member ;at the.rear.thereof,.Ja-.front panel continuing from-said crotch section-.and conformed to the shape of the. space formed .;by the spaced lower portions ofsaid ,verticalzedge portions, and ,means joining said front panel .to the spaced lower ends-.oftsaid' vertical side edges, said wrap-around,bodyimemberi being formed of an outerelastic layer and an innerwaterproof layer, said outerlayer ,having its, bottom :portion overlapping the t op portionofj said inner layer, and stitches securing the top edge of said inner layer to said outer layer, said first joining means comprising complementary hooks and eyes on the adjacent ends of said outer layer, said inner layer having outwardly diverged side edges forming said space, said latter joining means comprising complementary snap fastener elements on said front panel and said diverged side edges of said inner layer.

4. A protective orthopedic garment comprising a wrap-around body member having a vertically extended front opening, said member having adjacent vertical side edge portions on opposite sides of said front opening spaced from each other at least over the lower portion of their vertical height, means releasably joining said edge portions together above said spaced lower portions, a crotch section extended from the bottom of said body member at the rear thereof, a front panel continuing from said crotch section and conformed to the shape of the space formed by the spaced lower portions of said vertical edge portions, and means joining said front panel to the spaced lower ends of said vertical side edges, said wrap-around body member being formed of an outer elastic layer and an inner waterproof layer, said outer layer having its bottom portion overlapping the top portion of said inner layer, and stitches securing the top edge of said inner layer to said outer layer, said first joining means comprising complementary hooks and eyes on the adjacent ends of said outerlayer, said inner layer a wrap-around body member having a vertically extended front opening, said member having adjacent vertical side edge portions on opposite sides of said front opening spaced from each other at least over the lower portion of their vertical height, means releasabl'y joining said edge portions together above said spaced lower portions, a crotch section extended from the bottom of said body member at the rear thereof, a front panel continuing from said crotch section and conformed to the shape of the space formed by the spaced lower portions of said vertical edge portions, and means joining said front panel to the spaced lower ends of said vertical side edges, said wrap-around body member being formed of an outer elastic layer and an inner waterproof layer, said outer layer having its bottom portion overlapping the top portion of said inner layer,

and stitches securing the top edge of said inner layer to said outer layer, said first joining means comprising complementary hooks and eyes on the adjacent ends of said outer layer, said inner layer having outwardly diverged side edges forming said space, said latter joining means comprising complementary snap fastener ele ments on said front panel and said diverged side edges of said inner layer, and elastic tapes binding the edges of said wrap-around body member, said crotch piece and the bottom of said front panel forming resilient leg openings, said outer elastic layer being extended completely to the bottom of said inner layer and having its bottom edges at the front thereof stitched to said elastic tapes which bind the leg openings.

6. A protective orthopedic garment comprising a wrap-around body member having a vertically extended front opening, said member having adjacent vertical side edge portions on opposite sides of said front opening spaced from each other at least over'the lower portion of their ver tical height, means releasably joining said edge portions together above said spaced lower portions, a crotch section extended from the bottom of said body member at the rear thereof, a front panel continuing from said crotch section and conformed to the shape of the space formed by the spaced lower portions of said vertical edge portions, and means joining said front panel to the spaced lower ends of said vertical side edges,

said wrap-around body member being formed of an outer elastic layer and an inner waterproof layer, said outer layer having its bottom portion overlapping the top portion of said inner layer, and stitches securing the top edge of said inner layer to said outer layer, said first joining means comprising complementary hooks and eyes on the adjacent ends of said outer layer, said inner layer having outwardly diverged side edges forming said space, said latter joining means comprising complementary snap fastener elements on said front panel and said diverged side edges of said inner layer, said outer elastic layer having its bottom edge stopped short of the bottom of said inner layer and turned inward and stitched in position.

JULIA E, SILVERMAN.

References Sited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,083,712 Uyeda Jan. 6, 1914 1,580,464 Blumenfield Apr. 13, 1926 1,793,145 Vizzard Feb. 17, 1931 2,141,105 Eller et al Dec. 20, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 238,319 Switzerland Oct. 16, 1945 

